tion. [_protests and grumblings_]

I would it were not so, for I know how weary you find yourselves after
the many days upon the sea. But there's naught else to do.

PETER [_calling_]

Why can't we land here? [_mob assents_]

CARVER

Nay, nay, it cannot be. This is not Virginia; we have no patent to
these lands. We must sail on. The captain and his crew will make their
repairs as soon as they can, but our stores in the hold are all of
them in danger of spoiling--so we must needs unship them ourselves
until such time as we may sail away from here. So let every man
prepare himself for work.

PETER

Master Carver--we are not able to work. [_mob assents_]

CARVER

I know, but--

PETER

And more--'tis not our wish to stay aboard this ship longer--[_mob
assents_]

CARVER

But we can do naught else--

PETER

Aye, we kin land here, and find a goodly place to build our homes and
prepare against the winter that will be down upon us long before we
kin get to Virginia. [_mob agrees heartily_]

CARVER

Men--men--quiet--hark to me! We've no right under our charter to
settle here!

PETER

Then tear up the charter. [_mob agrees_]

CARVER

Tear up the charter? Have no government? Nay, we can't do that!

PETER

We be freemen, Master Carver; we have a right to a voice in what we'll
do, and what we won't do--and we all want to land here, don't we, men?
[_all agree_]

CARVER

But if we make our home here, we are outside the King's rule.

PETER

We'll rule ourselves--we be free-born Englishmen! [_all agree_]

CARVER

Mayhap--if that is your wish--

ALL

It is!

Aye, aye! [_etc._]

CARVER

It may be for the best interest of the company and for the glory of
Jehovah. I consent to your wishes. [_cheers_] But it behooves us to
enter into a compact, one with the other--that no man may say, once we
have landed in New England, that we have no law and cannot punish the
disobedient.

PETER

May it please ye, sir, we be more than willing for the masters to
write a compact that all can sign to be governed like any free-born
Englishmen by the will o' the majority--[_all agree_]

CARVER

So be it--let the masters of the company join me in my cabin, and we
shall make a compact joining all the company of freemen into a body
politic. [_cheers_]

ANNOUNCER

And so in the cabin of the _Mayflower_ the masters of the company,
twelve in number, met in the first American legislative assembly and
dr